98% of European plastics production covered by OCS

Following the release of its first Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) report in 2017, PlasticsEurope made the OCS programme a top priority in 2018, setting new targets for its members as part of the Plastics 2030 Voluntary Commitment.

A Zero Pellet Loss (ZPL) initiative was initially launched by PlasticsEurope in 2013

A ZPL initiative was initially launched by PlasticsEurope in 2013

The 2018 report provides an overview of the latest OCS developments in Europe and identifies further improvements to prevent pellet loss.

The number of OCS signatories doubled in Europe in 2018, reaching up to more than 500 companies handling plastics pellets. More than 98 per cent of the total European plastics production value chain has now signed up to OCS.

PlasticsEurope has developed and is now showcasing the results of its OCS questionnaire, and strengthening its collaboration with the entire plastics value chain.

Fully committed

Following the publication of the report today, Karl-H. Foerster, PlasticsEurope Executive Director, said: “The plastics industry remains fully committed to implementing solutions to end plastic waste in the environment. Working with the value chain for the implementation of OCS is an essential part of our 2030 Voluntary Commitment. Our aim is to drive best practices in pellet management and strive towards zero pellet loss.”

PlasticsEurope’s objectives for 2019 are to actively contribute to global industry efforts. Together with the plastics value chain, its aim is to develop an OCS certification scheme and continue to support the implementation of the OCS programme.

OCS is an international programme to prevent pellet loss. A Zero Pellet Loss (ZPL) initiative was initially launched by PlasticsEurope in 2013 to raise awareness among employees at manufacturing plants on how to properly manage pellets at each step of the production and supply chain.

To align and concentrate global industry efforts under a common approach, ZPL was integrated on a pan-European basis into the global OCS programme in 2015.

The aim is to create awareness, share best practices and provide guidance to its members.

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